When Tech Doesn’t Teach for You

“Is it working?”

“Wait, where did my slides go?”

“Ma’am, it says I need a code!”

Some days, technology feels like a gift.

Other days, it feels like an extra student in the room,

one that needs constant attention and always asks for help.

The Reality of Tech in the Classroom

As a teacher who genuinely believes in the power of technology to transform learning, I’ve also faced the frustrating side of it. The lesson I planned with so much excitement around an activity stalled because the internet slowed down. The student who was so engaged with an app got logged out and lost all their progress. The interactive whiteboard that worked perfectly yesterday simply wouldn’t turn on today.

And in the middle of it all?

Me, managing student behavior, answering questions, rebooting devices, and trying not to let it show that I was flustered.

What I’m Learning

Tech doesn’t replace good teaching.

It’s a tool, not a magic wand. Even the most engaging app can’t make up for clarity, connection, and presence.

Preparation is key, but flexibility is even more important.

Having a backup plan (or being okay with throwing the plan out altogether) helps me stay grounded.

Student voice matters.

Sometimes, students are more honest than I am about what’s working. “This was confusing.” “Can we do it without the screen?” They teach me what I need to hear.

It’s okay to fail in front of students.

When tech fails, I model how to stay calm, adapt, and troubleshoot – a life skill they’ll need too.

What I Hope Going Forward

I still believe in tech integration.

I see its power when it works well. But I’m also learning to embrace its challenges, reflect often, and always center the learning, not the tool.

Some days, teaching with tech feels like flying. Other days, it feels like building the plane mid-air. But either way, I’m learning. And that’s something I want my students to see.

Comments

Handling Criticism Constructively

If I’m being honest, I used to hear the word criticism and immediately brace for impact. My heart would race, my brain would go on defense mode, and all I could think was, “Oh no… what did I do wrong?” Criticism doesn’t have to crush you. In fact, if you can handle it constructively, it can become your best teacher. Here’s the framework that helped me turn feedback from a personal attack into a professional upgrade. But over the years, especially through teaching, research, and plenty of presentations, I’ve learned something important: The 5-Step Calm Response Framework Pause - Separate - Ask - Decide - Reflect Pause Before Reacting When someone gives you feedback, your first job is not to respond; it’s to breathe. Literally. Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4. This little pause stops you from blurting something defensive and helps you actually hear what’s being said. “Let me hear this fully before deciding what i...

The Day the Equation Clicked

“Miss, I finally get it!” Those five words lit up my entire week. We were deep into linear equations, a topic that usually triggers a collective groan. I had introduced the concept using a real-life scenario about sharing snacks among friends (because who doesn’t like food math?). Some students were engaged, but one in particular, let’s call him Tom, sat quietly, eyes down, pencil untouched. Halfway through the lesson, I handed out mini whiteboards. “Explain the rule in your own way,” I told them. A few minutes later, Tom called me over and quietly said, “Miss, I finally get it.” He showed me a simple drawing of two snack packets being shared equally. It wasn’t textbook-perfect, but it was his understanding, in his own words. We high-fived. He smiled. And in that moment, the equation wasn’t just solved, it clicked . Why This Moment Matters It reminded me that understanding doesn’t always look the same for every stu...

The 5E Model - A Teacher's Secret Weapon

Let’s face it. Sometimes teaching feels like a tornado! Students can get distracted or zone out, but that’s where the 5E model comes to the rescue! This simple and effective framework turns any lesson into an engaging adventure: This simple and effective framework turns any lesson into an engaging adventure: Engage – Kick things off with a fun question or story that grabs their attention. Explore – Let students dive in with hands-on activities or group work, giving them the chance to play and discover. Explain – Help them connect the dots by guiding them through the key concepts. Elaborate – Challenge them with some deeper tasks that get those wheels turning! Evaluate – Check in on what they've learned in a friendly and supportive way no stress involved! With the 5E model, lessons become exciting journeys, and trust me, it makes teaching a whole lot more fun for us too!

Dals blog

Search This Blog